Van Persie is widely expected to quit Arsenal this summer after refusing to sign a new contract and criticising the club in an open statement published on his personal website last week.

The 29-year-old has just 12 months left to run on his current deal, and Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is ready to meet the player soon to discuss his future.

Van Persie is not short of admirers across Europe, but Manchester City and Juventus now look like they are favourites to land the Holland international, after manager Carlo Ancelotti admitted big-spending PSG were not interested.

‘Robin van Persie is not our target,’ said Ancelotti.

‘But I think there are a number of other clubs who are interested in him.’

The bidding for van Persie is set to be opened before the end of the month, but it is already widely thought that Manchester City have drawn up a take it or leave it offer.

It would earn Arsenal around £20 million and see van Persie offered a £200,000-a-week to swap the Emirates for the Etihad.

Van Persie, who scored 37 times in 48 matches last season, would consider offers from abroad first, but City’s offer is likely to be the best on the table.